Drone Enthusiast Captures Elon Musk’s Texas Empire from Above

San Antonian Joe Tegtmeyer’s Unique Perspective on Tesla, SpaceX, and The Boring Company

In a remarkable journey from Air Force pilot to YouTube sensation, San Antonian Joe Tegtmeyer has found a new passion in retirement: documenting the growth of Elon Musk’s Texas-based companies through stunning aerial drone footage. With over 33,000 YouTube subscribers and nearly 50,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter), Tegtmeyer has reportedly become a trusted source for insights into the developments at Tesla’s Giga Texas in Austin, Starbase in Boca Chica, and The Boring Company in Bastrop.

From Curiosity to Permission

Tegtmeyer’s interest in Tesla began with a curiosity about electric vehicles and a desire to form his own opinion amidst the speculations on social media. Inspired by drone pilots covering Tesla factories around the world, he decided to document the construction of Giga Texas in Austin. Tegtmeyer, along with a group of YouTubers he calls “the drone squad,” received permission directly from Elon Musk to record overhead videos of the Tesla plant.

“Because of Elon Musk early on, I and the other drone pilots are allowed to fly at Giga Texas,” Tegtmeyer said. “He’s also responded to several of my posts along the way and he’s made it possible for the coverage of the things that I do.”

Providing Context and Insights

As Tegtmeyer’s audience grew, ranging from Tesla connoisseurs and shareholders to employees, he aimed to provide context and insights beyond the headlines of decreasing sales and mass layoffs. His videos offer in-depth analysis of not only vehicle production but also new construction projects, such as multi-level parking garages and cathode plants for lithium hydroxide battery production.

“From my perspective, if we’re talking about Tesla and production of vehicles and what’s going on in Giga Texas, I would just remind everybody that Giga Texas is a major construction zone at the same time that they are doing production of vehicles,” Tegtmeyer explained. “My goal is to try to give the rest of the story to try to give the context to what you’re actually seeing.”

Passion for Space and the Future

Tegtmeyer’s coverage extends beyond Tesla, as he documents developments at Musk’s other Texas-based companies, including SpaceX’s Starbase and The Boring Company. His true passion lies in space, making Starbase one of his favorite subjects to cover.

As an avid consumer of Tesla’s products, having owned a Model S, Model 3, and Cybertruck, Tegtmeyer hopes to continue being a resource for those interested in the advancements of Musk’s companies. He believes in the potential for an exciting future through advancing technology and encourages support for activities that contribute to a better tomorrow.

“The future can be exciting,” Tegtmeyer said. “Let’s make the future where we want it to be.”

Photos courtesy of Joe Tegtmeyer.